Description
Savory Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken brings Mediterranean zest to dinner tables with its crispy golden skin and tangy herb-infused essence. Guaranteed to delight palates, you’ll savor each juicy, perfectly seasoned bite that promises a delightful culinary journey.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 whole chicken (5 pounds / 2.27 kilograms)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 lb (454 grams) carrots, peeled
- 1 lb (454 grams) mini potatoes, halved
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 sweet onion, sliced
Seasonings and Fats:
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse the whole chicken with paper towels to ensure optimal dryness.
- Generously coat the chicken’s exterior with a robust blend of zesty lemon pepper seasoning and kosher salt, creating a flavorful protective layer.
- Select a sturdy round Dutch oven as the cooking vessel, strategically positioning the seasoned chicken at the center.
- Meticulously surround the chicken with a colorful medley of chopped carrots, diced potatoes, sliced celery, and quartered onions.
- Cascade a glistening stream of extra virgin olive oil across the vegetable landscape, ensuring each piece receives a delicate coating.
- Crown the chicken’s surface with pats of rich, creamy butter, allowing them to slowly melt and infuse the meat with luxurious flavor.
- Dust the vegetable ensemble with a light sprinkle of aromatic garlic powder for an additional depth of taste.
- Securely cover the Dutch oven, transforming it into a sealed flavor chamber within a preheated 375°F oven.
- Allow the chicken to roast undisturbed for two hours, creating a tender, succulent interior.
- Uncover the Dutch oven, letting the chicken’s skin transform into a crispy, golden masterpiece during the final cooking phase.
- Verify the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F using a reliable meat thermometer.
- Carefully extract the roasted chicken and accompanying vegetables, presenting a steaming, aromatic dish ready for immediate serving.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly dried before seasoning to achieve crispy, golden-brown skin that locks in moisture and enhances flavor.
- Use fresh lemon pepper seasoning for maximum zest and avoid pre-packaged blends which can taste stale or lack intensity.
- Allow chicken to rest 10-15 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices, preventing dry meat and ensuring tender, succulent results.
- For gluten-free version, confirm all seasonings are certified gluten-free and substitute butter with olive oil or dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg